Go Back
To make a delicious Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad, gather these fresh ingredients: - 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried - 1 apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced - 1 cup fresh cranberries, halved (or dried cranberries if fresh aren't available) - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste This recipe serves four people. You can adjust the portion sizes to suit your needs. If you want a bigger salad, just double the ingredients. For a smaller salad, cut the amounts in half. If you prefer a nut-free version, skip the walnuts or swap them for seeds, like sunflower seeds. You may use any apple you like, but I recommend Granny Smith for a tart taste. If cranberries are out of season, dried cranberries work well too. Each ingredient in this salad brings health benefits: - Spinach is rich in iron, which is good for your blood. - Apples provide fiber, which helps with digestion. - Cranberries are packed with antioxidants, helping to fight illness. - Walnuts contain healthy fats that are good for your heart. - Feta cheese adds calcium, which is great for strong bones. - Red onion contains quercetin, which may boost your immune system. - Olive oil is a source of healthy fats, promoting heart health. - Apple cider vinegar may help with blood sugar control. - Honey adds natural sweetness and has antibacterial properties. - Salt and pepper enhance flavors but should be used in moderation. This salad not only tastes amazing but also nourishes your body with each bite! To start, gather your dressing ingredients. You need olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Add a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth. This dressing adds a nice tang and sweetness to the salad. Now, let’s build the salad. Take a large salad bowl and add 2 cups of fresh spinach. This spinach forms the base. Next, dice 1 apple, either Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Sprinkle the diced apple over the spinach. Then, take 1 cup of fresh cranberries, halved, and add them to the bowl. If you’re using dried cranberries, that works too. Next, add 1/2 cup of roughly chopped walnuts. These nuts give a great crunch. Now, slice 1/4 of a red onion very thin. Add the onion slices to the mix. Once all ingredients are in the bowl, it’s time to dress the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the top. Using tongs, toss the salad gently. Make sure all the ingredients are coated well. Finally, sprinkle 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese on top for extra flavor. You can serve the salad right away or chill it for 15 minutes. Chilling lets the flavors blend nicely. Serve it in large bowls or on individual plates. Garnish with a few extra cranberries and a walnut for a nice touch. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad! To make a great Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad, use fresh ingredients. Here are some tips: - Spinach: Choose bright green, crisp leaves. Avoid any wilting or browning. - Apples: Go for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. These add a nice crunch and tartness. - Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are best, but dried ones work too. If using dried, choose unsweetened. - Walnuts: Buy raw or lightly toasted walnuts for a richer taste. - Feta Cheese: Use high-quality feta for the best flavor. Crumbled cheese blends well with the salad. You can make this salad your own with a few simple changes. Try these ideas: - Add Protein: Toss in grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. - Mix in Other Fruits: Consider adding pears, oranges, or pomegranate seeds for extra flavor. - Change the Nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or even sunflower seeds. - Use Different Cheese: Try goat cheese or blue cheese for a new twist. - Vary the Dressing: Experiment with balsamic vinegar or citrus juices for a tangy change. Serving your salad well makes it more inviting. Here’s how to present it nicely: - Use Colorful Bowls: Bright bowls can make the salad pop. - Layer Ingredients: For a beautiful look, layer the spinach, apples, and cranberries. - Garnish: Add a few extra cranberries and walnuts on top. A sprinkle of feta adds elegance. - Serve Individual Portions: Present on individual plates for a fancy touch. - Chill Before Serving: Let the salad sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to enhance flavors. {{image_2}} You can mix the apples with other fruits. In summer, try peaches or strawberries. They add sweetness and color. In fall, pears work well too. Each fruit gives a new taste. This keeps your salad fresh and exciting. It’s fun to experiment with different flavors. To make this salad vegan, skip the feta cheese. Instead, use avocado for creaminess. You can also add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. For the dressing, use maple syrup instead of honey. This keeps the salad tasty and friendly for everyone. If walnuts are not your favorite, use pecans or almonds. Both add crunch and flavor. For cheese, try goat cheese or skip it altogether. This lets you adjust the salad to what you like. Don’t hesitate to be creative! Each swap can change the whole dish. To keep your Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This will prevent moisture from getting in and spoiling the salad. If you have leftover dressing, keep it in a separate container. This way, the salad will stay crisp longer. Always refrigerate both the salad and dressing. This salad tastes best fresh, but you can refresh it. If the salad wilts, add fresh spinach or more diced apples. You can also drizzle a bit more dressing to boost flavor. Avoid reheating this salad. It’s not meant to be warm, so serve it cold for the best taste. - Fresh spinach: Lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. - Apples: Can stay fresh for 1 to 2 weeks. - Cranberries: Fresh cranberries last about 2 weeks. Dried cranberries can last months. - Walnuts: Keep for about 6 months if stored in a cool place. - Feta cheese: Usually lasts 5 to 7 days once opened. Use these tips to keep your salad fresh and tasty! Yes, you can use dried cranberries. They add a sweet touch. If you use dried, cut back on the honey in the dressing. Fresh cranberries provide a tart flavor, which balances well with the apple. Both options work, so choose what you have. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are my top picks. Granny Smith gives a nice tartness. Honeycrisp offers a sweet and crisp bite. Both add great flavor and texture. You can also try Fuji or Braeburn apples as tasty alternatives. You can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Just wait to add the dressing until you are ready to serve. This keeps the spinach fresh and crisp. Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors will blend nicely while it chills. This blog post covered all you need for a tasty salad. We looked at the key ingredients, how to prepare your dressing, and tips for fresh ingredients. You learned how to customize your salad and store it well. Don’t forget the fun variations you can try! With these steps, you can make salads that are both healthy and delightful. Enjoy creating new flavors and impressing friends with your salad skills!

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

Indulge in the refreshing flavors of Apple Cranberry Walnut Delight, a perfect salad that combines fresh spinach, crisp apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. Toss it all together with a zesty dressing for a dish that’s both nutritious and delicious. Whether it’s for a meal or a side, this vibrant recipe is sure to impress. Click through to discover how easy it is to create this delightful salad that brightens up any table!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

2 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried

1 apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and diced

1 cup fresh cranberries, halved (or dried cranberries if fresh aren't available)

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Whisk together until well blended.

    In a large salad bowl, add the fresh spinach as the base.

      Top the spinach with the diced apple, halved cranberries, chopped walnuts, and sliced red onion.

        Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are coated.

          Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top for added flavor.

            Serve immediately, or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes for the flavors to meld together.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: Serve the salad in large bowls or on individual plates, garnished with a few extra cranberries and a walnut for an elegant touch.